18 January 2001

The US Army selected the Textron Marine & Land Systems Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) for use by the Military Police. The first production order was placed early last year for 94 vehicles (including options); the first production vehicle was completed earlier this year.

The ASV 150, or ASV XM1117 as designated by the US Army, is a further development of the older LAV-150 4 x 4 light armoured vehicle that was built in large numbers for export.

The ASV 150 has a one-person turret armed with a 40mm grenade launcher and 12.7mm machine gun with four grenade launchers mounted either side of the turret. The weapons are not stabilised, but a day/night sight is fitted.

Standard equipment includes additional passive armour from IBD, a central tyre- pressure regulation system, a front-mounted winch, a fire-detection and suppression system and a passive night-vision viewer for the driver.

Specifications

Crew: 4

Configuration: 4 x 4

Armament: 1x 40mm Mk 19 Mod 1 grenade launcher (main); 1x 12.7mm M2 HB machine gun (co-axial)

Combat weight: 13,408kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 19.39hp/t

Power pack: Cummins 6CTA 8.3 turbocharged diesel developing 260hp coupled to an Allison MD 3560 fully automatic transmission

Length: 6.22m

Width: 2.56m

Height: 2.59m

Speed: 100km/h

Range: 708km

Airportable: C-130 Hercules (1); C-141 (2)

Status

In production. In service with the US Army, which has ordered 94 vehicles. Textron is also marketing it overseas as a follow-on to the LAV-150 series, of which some 3,000, including the LAV-100 and LAV-200, have been built.

Variants

A wide range on offer for export, including one fitted with a 90mm or a 25mm turret, a command post vehicle, mortar carrier and internal security vehicle.

Manufacturer

Textron Marine & Land Systems, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Textron Marine & Land Systems Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) (Source: Textron)